Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Review #keepthesecrets

Well, where to start...

Before you begin reading, Please be aware there are NO 'Spoilers' in this review, I have only written about the theatrical experience.

All this began when I won tickets from the Friday Forty Lottery. Me and my dad have always had a love for the J.K. Rowling Harry Potter series of books. I have many fond memories of me and him reading them together when I was younger. I knew about the play the minute it was announced and have been waiting for tickets to go on sale but couldn't afford them. I was so desperate to take him for Fathers day and was over the moon when I got us tickets for £15 each per part right in the middle of the second row in the stalls (BB 18-19)!!

I really like how the whole experience is secretive. The story is told much more naturally because of how encouraged the audience are to #keepthesecrets! They even hand out badges at the end to help you remember!

PART 1: Saturday 11th June

The Story line is INCREDIBLE. It is clearly shown that J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany make an excellent team. It is full of clever twists and turns (and even some familiar faces!) that you would never expect. The auditorium is gorgeous. I really think it is the perfect place for the show, it is such a gothic setting with traditional features. The front of house staff are so nice and helpful. They genuinely want you to have a great time! One thing about the show that really stood out for me is the musical accompaniment (Composed by Imogen Heap). It is a more Modern/Contemporary soundtrack than the films but works so well with the Choreography (Movement Directed by Steven Hoggett). The casting of the show is wonderful. I have heard many different opinions on the fact that Hermione Granger (Noma Dumezweni) is Black. If you are doubting this incredible actress I would like to stop you right here. Noma gave one of the most brilliant portrayals of Hermione Granger, Every word she spoke I believed. If you have booked tickets then you will see what I mean hopefully very soon. Although Hermione, Ron (Paul Thornley) and Harry (Jamie Parker) were key roles in the show, I feel the main boys of the show were Albus Potter (Sam Clemmett) and Scorpius Malfoy (Anthony Boyle). The two boys were outstanding. After seeing them on stage, I went round to stage door to meet them and I can tell you they are the most down to earth actors I have met, they left no programme un-signed and no selfie un-taken! It was honestly one of the best nights of my life.

PART 2: Tuesday 14th June

I am writing this the day after seeing part two and I literally have no words. The story ends in the most perfect way, staying loyal to the novels. I really recommend not reading spoiler reviews or the script that comes out on 31st July if you're seeing the show relatively soon. The most brilliant part was that you had no idea what was going to happen. The movement and music again for part two was astounding. I did go to Stage Door again but this time it was absolutely jam-packed with people and there was a lot of pushing and shoving which I have to say was very upsetting to see. The idea of the Potter fandom is that everyone has each others backs. There was one girl who was practically climbing onto me to get her ticket signed. Although only a few cast members came out but again, Sam Clemmett and Anthony Boyle left no programme unsigned and no selfie un-taken and Anthony in particular really made an effort to chat to you which was really nice.

If you haven't got tickets to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, don't worry! Even though the show is sold out until July 2017, you can still get the Script when it comes out on 31st July (if you're desperate to know the story) plus J.K. also pointed signs towards a Tour of the show. You can also enter the Friday Forty Lottery for £15 per part (During Previews) tickets in the front rows of the stalls!! (Trust me, it's as amazing as it sounds!)

Overall, I would rate this show 5 Stars. (If i could rate higher, I would)

Alice Through the Looking Glass - Review

Wednesday 1st June, me and my friend Lois (theramblingsoflois.blogspot.com) went to see Alice Through the Looking Glass at our local Vue cinema.

The film was again visually stunning. You really notice when things suddenly change mood as the colours change with it. (you kind of have to see the film to understand what i'm trying to say!) but the real question is 'Is it as good or better than the first film' and my answer is unfortunately no. The film was good and a nice trip out to the cinema but it didn't trump the first Alice in Wonderland. I personally would've wanted to see more comical lines for the Queen of hearts (Helena Bonham Carter).

The story was about how Alice (Mia Wasikowska) would have to give away her fathers ship to her previously declined spouse Hamish (Leo Bill) in order to save her home where she lives with her Mother (Lindsay Duncan). She then follows Absolom, previously a caterpillar now a butterfly (Alan Rickman) to Wonderland/Underland (it was never really made clear which it was) through a mirror/looking glass. She arrives to discover The Hatter (Johnny Depp) very unwell after he discovered the first hat he ever made which brought back memories of his lost family and Alice goes to turn back Time (Sacha Baron Cohen) to save them and restore The Hatters hapiness. In the process she runs into twists and turns which gives the film no extra quality and I can only see makes the length of the story a lot greater. It's all very predictable and went on far too long.

It wasn't all bad though and I don't want to put you off seeing it, the delivery of lines from Helena Bonham Carter were just great. A particular favourite of mine was "Oh, Alice, you always were an irksome, slurvish, interrupting thing". And it was really nice to see her and Sacha Baron Cohen teamed up again as I thought they were a great pair in Les Miserables.

Overall, I would give it a 3 Star rating.